2019 Power Rankings

ESPN puts the Revs at 6 in their latest power rankings, up from 11 last week. Crazy.

https://www.espn.com/soccer/major-l...op-ahead-of-lafc-clash-san-joseminnesota-rise

 

On current form, it really isn't all that crazy. Unbeaten in 9 straight, who would ever have thought that could be possible at the start of the year?

 

This streak is approaching Nicol-ish stretch run proportions.

 

ESPN puts the Revs at number 4 in their power rankings: https://www.espn.com/soccer/major-l...dogs-at-all-star-breakarenas-revs-keep-rising

 

I'll believe that once we manage to beat a few more teams ahead of us in the standings.

 

Well, we won't have to wait long for that test.

 

Love that analysis - it's just what I've been thinking.

In the Seattle game, I was cringing at how poor his touch was early in the game. But, from the time he scored he settled in and in the 2nd half I don't remember an incident of a bad handle from him.

On one of the goals, he did seem to get lured off his mark to become the 3rd defender to go after the ball-handler though. I think that's where the 3 central defenders lineup just causes confusion.

 

Jay Heaps couldn’t grind so well away. Maybe Bruce is a bit better at that?

 

It doesn't feel like they are 'grinding' in their road games now.

The biggest difference to me seems like it's the fact that they are showing more urgency and are quicker on the counter - and that is making them more dangerous. That makes home defenses have to respect them more and can't press forward as much, so our defense isn't under as much persistent heavy pressure as they were under Friedel and Heaps.

I've hated how slow and deliberately (with sloppy mixed in) they played under the previous two coaches. I understand wanting to keep possession and all, but playing so slowly means the opposition is never really worried about you striking quickly. And, the other big overlooked factor, is that playing quicker and with more urgency allows the players to establish a rhythm - conversely improving their ability to keep possession.

 

I agree with you. It doesn’t seem like grinding. I was just using the term in the posted article a few posts before mine.

Your comment applies to the statistics thread too. Despite stats that argue they’ve been doing better than “expected” can’t we agree that what we’re watching just plain looks better?

 

Sure.

It's just that their plodding build-up play (and seeming tolerance for sloppy passing/trapping, passing back under any hint of 'pressure', playing back to the keeper to deliver back to the opponent, etc.) has been a real infuriating complaint of mine going back to Nicol's departure.

And the biggest change I see from Arena is a whole flip in that approach - go forward and do it briskly and attack; move the ball away from pressure, but don't retreat from it.

 

YES!

This is what would drive me nuts! before any attack could even begin, we'd have the ball just over the midfield line and someone would put even the slightest pressure on a Rev, and instead of trying to beat him 1:1 or make a quick pass forward, he'd safely dump it backwards, and from there it would usually go all the way to the keeper!

AAAAGHHH!

 

grinding or not, over achieving or not relative to 'expected results" -- fact remains that over the past 15 games (43% of an MLS season) the Revs have averaged 2.0 ppg, and that's supporter's shield territory. I agree they look better, and the results are inarguable -- they are better.

 

It seems justified, even without big wins by other teams. We've definitely cooled off.

 

That's why a win in NYC would be so welcomed. It seems like a tall order though. Also, aside for Orlando, we have tough games remaining on the schedule.